8 Games to Play While Waiting for The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

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Summary

  • Replay the Dark Pictures Anthology and shoot for 100% completion.
  • Play classic sci-fi horror games like System Shock and Alien: Isolation while waiting for Directive 8020.
  • Explore titles like Dead Space and The Thing Remastered for a terrifying sci-fi horror fix.

The Dark Pictures Anthology concluded its first season with “The Devil in Me” and has started its second season with “Directive 8020,” introducing a touch of sci-fi body horror to the series. As fans eagerly anticipate its release, slated for the latter part of 2025, there’s ample time for gamers to enjoy similar titles in the meantime.

Instead of just waiting for the continuation of the Dark Pictures Anthology, one could explore past horror games created by Supermassive Games or other games in the realm of sci-fi horror or adjacent genres. These choices will undoubtedly stimulate your curiosity until the return of the anthology.

1. Until Dawn

The First Game To Solidify Their Horror Formula

Until Dawn, Supermassive’s initial exploration into horror gaming and the blueprint for their subsequent horror releases, serves as an ideal choice to pass the time before diving into Directive 8020. The narrative revolves around a group of teenagers who reunite at a remote mountain cabin, a year after the presumed demise of twin sisters Hannah and Beth Washington.

The original characters find themselves unwittingly entangled in a vengeful plot orchestrated by Josh, the twin brother, but there are darker forces at play on the mountain as well. This new development brings an unexpected turn of events even for those who thought they had it all figured out. It’s a fun tribute to B-horror movies, and now is the ideal moment to rediscover this chilling horror masterpiece.

2. The Dark Pictures Anthology

Replay The Rest Of The Games In The Franchise

Before the arrival of the second season of the Dark Pictures Anthology, gamers might find it intriguing to revisit the first season, especially since the stories are linked only by the returning character, the Curator. Comprising the ghost ship journey in Man of Medan, a haunting experience in the town of Little Hope, an underground expedition in the caverns of House of Ashes, and surviving a replica of H.H. Holmes’ infamous hotel in The Devil in Me, there are numerous chilling games for players to delve into.

In this manner, players can reacquaint themselves with the game mechanics since their quick-time event reflexes may require a bit of warming up after such an extended hiatus. Additionally, they have the opportunity to fully complete the game by locating all hidden items and witnessing every character’s potential demise – a particularly engaging aspect of Supermassive’s horror games.

3. Observation

Manipulate The Onboard AI To Investigate What Happened To The Crew

If you’re eager players preparing to delve into the ship in Directive 8020, Observation could be an ideal game for your enjoyment. In this game, you assume the role of medical officer Emma Fisher following a strange incident that has led the titular vessel to malfunction. Your mission is twofold: first, restore functionality to the ship, and second, determine the cause of the issues while also attempting to reach other crew members.

As an enthusiast, I primarily navigate the spacecraft using an onboard AI called SAM, who acts as my guide, helping me solve puzzles and unravel the enigmas surrounding the ship’s malfunction and the whereabouts of the crew in Observation. Although it may not be a traditional horror game, there are still some spine-tingling events that occur within its universe, making it an ideal choice for fans of Directive 8020 who crave a rich sci-fi gaming experience.

4. System Shock

A Prolific Sci-Fi Horror Title That Helped Inspire Countless Games

As a gamer, I’d say, “Why not dive back into one of the most impactful sci-fi horror classics ever made? The updated version of Directive 8020 now lets you explore the chilling depths of space on a modern gaming setup.

An unidentified cybercriminal gets apprehended and taken into custody for his online misdeeds, standing before the company’s leadership. In a peculiar deal, he is given an opportunity for a fresh start if he successfully infiltrates the AI named SHODAN – one of the most notorious lethal AIs known across gaming lore – that oversees a space station. The experience of navigating through this vessel and evading SHODAN’s lethal pursuits is as spine-chilling as it gets, making it an ideal choice for enthusiasts of science fiction.

5. Alien: Isolation

A Master Class In Sci-fi Spookiness

In the vein of the well-known horror masterpiece, “Alien: Isolation” is set between the occurrences depicted in the initial and second film, centering around Amanda Ripley as the main character. Eager to uncover truths about her mother’s fate when she embarked on the Nostromo, Amanda learns that the flight recorder was retrieved and is now stored on the space station Sevastopol.

Upon entering the space station, Amanda and her team discover that not only is it largely abandoned, but it’s inhabited by hostile humans, risky robots, and a lethal organism that’s been decimating the remaining inhabitants. Now, Amanda must face each nerve-wracking encounter with this terrifying creature to stay alive. Known as one of the most frightening sci-fi games, players have ample time to attempt to make it through to the end.

6. Prey

An Alien Parasite Can Perfectly Mimic Objects

2032 isn’t too far ahead: Morgan Yu wakes up on Talos I, a space station, part of an experimental human project aimed at creating a brilliant future for mankind. Unfortunately, the experiments take a turn for the worse, unleashing an alien being that can flawlessly blend with its surroundings. It appears as if this entity is ubiquitous.

Directive 8020 highlights the behavior of crew members who have been overtaken by a mysterious alien parasite, exhibiting behaviors remarkably similar to the shape-shifting extraterrestrial entity from the movie Prey. Engaging with this alien creature is possible through hours of gameplay in Prey, an engaging sci-fi game that’s worth exploring on its own merits.

7. Dead Space

Face Terrifying Aliens In The Far Reaches Of Space

Among the all-time favorite sci-fi horror video games is none other than Dead Space, a game that has left countless players trembling in fear due to its terrifying necromorph creatures, spawned from the corpses of dead crew members. After the spaceship Ishimura experiences a crash landing, the Kellion team starts dwindling, but Isaac remains resolute on survival, equipped with his reliable plasma cutter, which proves to be highly effective against these necromorph monstrosities.

Embark on a thrilling journey aboard a spacecraft adrift and teeming with terrifying creatures – that’s the chilling sci-fi horror adventure offered by Dead Space. Ideal for fans eagerly anticipating Directive 8020, this game provides an engaging experience. The initial installment has been beautifully remastered, and there are numerous sequels to explore, making it an excellent choice to while away the time.

8. The Thing Remastered

Based On The Excellent Horror Movie

In simpler terms, “The Thing” is a well-known horror film that portrays a team of scientists stationed in a base situated in the cold, icy expanse of Antarctica. They encounter an alien parasite capable of infiltrating and transforming its host, mimicking them perfectly unless provoked or exposed to high temperatures. It appears that “Directive 8020” shares a similar concept, possibly influenced by this movie.

One thing many people might not realize is that there’s a video game inspired by the latest remastered version of a film. This game takes place after the movie, following a special task force as they delve into a research base and unravel the mysteries surrounding the original team. If you’re eagerly anticipating Directive 8020 and are a fan of the movie, this could be just the game for you!

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2025-02-16 20:05